How The NFL Scouting Combine Impacts Draft Odds
One of the most critical components of the NFL Draft process is the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, which begins Thursday in Indianapolis. More than 300 prospects received invites to the event to meet with front office executives and coaches and work out in front of the personnel who will be considering their draft stock in April. This is where unknowns can really jump into the spotlight. But for established high draft picks? That’s a different story.
Let’s take a look at the latest NFL Scouting Combine buzz and how the four-day event will shape NFL Draft odds.
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Promos For Betting On The NFL Scouting Combine
NFL Scouting Combine News
Titans Won’t Pass On “Generational Talent”
Just before sister site TheLines released its first NFL mock draft, Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker said Tennessee “won’t pass on a generational talent.” Per the overwhelming majority of draft insiders, neither quarterback atop the rankings classifies as “generational.” In response to the comment, Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter’s No. 1 draft odds plummeted from 60-1 to under 2-1.
While Carter took the move here, could Tennessee have meant another player? After all, only one prospect in this class can be called “generational” (if not in terms of talent, in terms of usage): Travis Hunter.
Shedeur Sanders Won’t Work Out
In a move that’s become increasingly popular among surefire top picks, high-profile Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders elected to skip all combine events. He will attend and meet with personnel, but don’t expect to see Sanders throw the ball or try the bench press. This QB draft class is light. It features Sanders and Cam Ward as top options, options that many draftniks recognize wouldn’t be surefire first-rounders in better classes. But with a half-dozen QB-needy teams, Sanders will go by Pick 10 — with or without combine participation.
Instead, Sanders will throw at Colorado’s pro day.
Rams Give Matthew Stafford Permission To Seek Trade
Not directly pertinent to those participating at the NFL Combine, but the Rams have given QB Matthew Stafford permission to seek a trade. Behind Stafford, the Rams have Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett — not exactly an assuring crew for a team that pushed the Super Bowl champions to the brink on the road in the NFC Playoffs. While Stafford doesn’t have to be moved, the Rams may take a closer look at the QB class than initially expected.
L.A. drafts 26th overall in the first round.
Hunter Enters Combine As DB
Of all the moves at the combine, this has the potential to impact betting markets the most. Two-way star and Heisman Trophy winner Hunter officially enters the combine as a cornerback and not a wide receiver. For NFL Draft markets, read up on house rules and rulings over Hunter’s designation. If he does No. 4 to the Patriots, will sportsbooks grade that as the first receiver drafted? First DB drafted?
Likely, draft coverage lists Hunter as “WR/CB” or something similar. This will muddy the waters for bettors.
Jets Move On From Aaron Rodgers
The Jets hold the seventh overall pick and the 11th-most draft capital, per Tankathon. They officially moved on from Aaron Rodgers after two seasons of largely nothing. The roster has talented pieces and plenty of youth, marking this as a strong time to go after a quarterback. While a trade-up is unlikely for either of the top options, watch for the Jets to enter their name into the QB market here.
First-Round Prospects Not Participating At NFL Scouting Combine
Aside from Sanders, star Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty declined to work out. He’ll welcome scouts to his Pro Day in Boise. QB Cam Ward is reportedly undecided about participating in workouts and drills.
Other players with first-round grades or on the fringe not participating due to injury include the following:
- TE Elijah Arroyo, Miami (FL)
- EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
- TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
- CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
- CB Shavon Revel, East Carolina
- OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
Can I Bet On the NFL Scouting Combine?
Betting markets are determined by state. Not all states that offer legal sports betting offer markets on all events. Debates over what constitutes a sporting event come and go each year.
NFL Scouting Combine betting varies between state and sportsbook. Always bet at legal US sportsbooks and stay away from unregulated offshore books.
How The Scouting Combine Impacts NFL Draft Betting
As the calendar flips to March, sportsbooks release more markets on the upcoming NFL Draft. Betting the NFL Draft can be extremely fruitful for those who know where to look for information. Without power ratings to lean on, the draft is a weak market. However, it’s important to discern the difference between smoke and fact.
Don’t Overreact To The Combine
Many bettors and even betting markets will swing wildly with standout results from the combine. While a couple of names may boost their value into the first round, the overwhelming majority of prospects tread water. The fact is, NFL teams just don’t put that much stake into on-field workouts.
For players like Sanders, Ward, and Jeanty, there’s enough dominant tape on them for teams to have graded them completely. Should a high-profile receiver bomb at the combine, his stock isn’t crashing from top 10 to Day 2 (barring injury). Keep in mind, these players participate in school Pro Days.
For example, Kansas State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe made an enormous splash with his 2024 combine performance. His projection rose as high as the second round in many respected draft analysts’ mock drafts. Beebe would go 73rd overall, just a hair above his average pre-combine projection (85th).
Use Combine Odds Swings To Your Advantage
Watch for a player to steal combine headlines at his position and use it to leverage your betting moving forward. Should, say, Emeka Egbuka severely underperform in the 40-yard dash (say, 4.47 instead of a sub-4.4), his odds to be the No. 1 WR may drop. Here are some receivers who underperformed in the 40-yard dash lately:
- Bills WR Keon Coleman: 4.61 (33rd overall)
- Seahawks WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba: 4.52 (20th overall)
- Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr.: 4.51 (34th overall)
- Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb: 4.50 (17th overall)
The takeaway here is, don’t overreact to a poorly-run 40; don’t overreact to a combine below expectation, even if the odds do. This could be used to particular advantage in this year’s receiver market. Three names are contending to be WR1: Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, Missouri’s Luther Burden III, and Ohio State’s Egbuka.
Understand What The Combine Is Used For
The NFL Scouting Combine is not used to determine the first selection in the NFL Draft. It’s a useful tool for front offices to evaluate high-profile players through interviews and face-to-face interaction. The combine itself is more useful for mid-round players and to nitpick between a few prospects. It’s used to answer questions about players with questions. Unless you’re betting into obscure Round 3+ markets, there’s little takeaway to be had from workout results.
However, this is where the disinformation battle begins. Get ready for a flurry of smokescreens and reports surrounding Team X interviewing Player A and not Player B.
